Heat Wave In South Korea; Death Toll Reaches 14, 300,000 Livestock Dead

Two more deaths due to the ongoing heat wave in South Korea, raising the toll to 14. The extreme heat has also resulted in the death of around 300,000 livestock.

On Sunday, a 71-year-old woman was found unconscious in her home in Seoul and later died from a heat-related illness. Another woman, aged 78, died while working on a farm in Goheung, located 328 kilometers south of Seoul. These deaths have increased this year’s heat wave fatality count.

The interior ministry reported that, as of Sunday, 1,690 people have suffered from heat-related illnesses. The extreme temperatures have also had a severe impact on livestock. Since June 11, approximately 303,000 animals have died due to the heat, including 277,000 poultry. Additionally, about 5,867 flatfish from six fish farms succumbed to the high temperatures.

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On Tuesday, heat wave warnings were in effect across most parts of the country. The weather agency forecasts that the heat wave will persist until at least August 15. On Sunday, Yeoju, located 64 kilometers southeast of Seoul, recorded a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature since 2018, which was the hottest year on record.

The weather agency predicts that daytime temperatures will remain above average for the next ten days, ranging between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius nationwide. In response, the interior ministry has issued a “serious” heat wave warning, its highest level, and upgraded its response posture to Level 1.

Authorities advise the public to avoid outdoor activities between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and to seek cooler environments if they experience dizziness, nausea, or headaches. The government continues to monitor the situation closely and is taking measures to mitigate the effects of the ongoing heat wave.